Tate Modern: Helen Chadwick

Helen Chadwick
Tate Modern, Blavatnik Building Level 4
^{Until 8 June 2025}

Helen Chadwick (1953-96) was a British sculptor, photographer and installation artist. She was an influential practitioner in the last quarter of the twentieth century and developed a new visual language about identity. The role, identity and representation of women were important themes in her work.

Right from early art school, I wanted to use the body to create a sense of inner relationships with the audience.
Helen Chadwick

It was fantastic to see Chadwick’s work at Tate Modern last weekend and I was lucky enough to attend the curators talk. It was fascinating to hear about some of her ideas and concepts and how forward thinking she was.

She first inspired me when I was a student studying for my Art Foundation course at Ravensbourne University London and I remember talking about her influences on me in my interviews for my Fine Art degree.

Her work was last exhibited at the Barbican in 2004 and it was interesting to hear that her large photographs can only be displayed for 5 months every 10 years due to light sensitivity, so it definitely is a must see!

^{Helen Chadwick, The Labours VI 1983–4. Tate. © Estate of Helen Chadwick.}

In 1987, Chadwick became one of the first women artists to be nominated for the Turner Prize. Throughout the 1980s and 90s she taught at various art schools across London. Despite her sudden death at only 42, Chadwick’s prolific body of work and her dedication to her practice and teaching made her a vital influence on the next generation of British artists and beyond’.

Turner Prize 1987 shortlist: Helen Chadwick
Helen Chadwick’s innovative and provocative use of a rich variety of materials, such as flesh, flowers, chocolate and fur, was hugely influential on a younger generation of British artists.

Tate Modern